Mission The E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) is a long-range, air-to-ground surveillance system designed to locate, classify and track ground targets in all weather conditions. As an airborne battle management and command and control platform, it conducts ground surveillance to develop an understanding of the enemy’s situation and to support attack …
Mission The E-4B serves as the National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC) for the National Command Authorities. In case of a national emergency or destruction of ground command control centers, the aircraft provides a modern, highly survivable, command, control and communications center to direct U.S. forces, execute emergency war orders and coordinate actions by civil authorities. …
Mission The E-3 Sentry is an airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft that provides all-weather surveillance, command, control and communications needed by commanders of U.S., NATO and other allied air defense forces. As proven in Operation Allied Force, it is the premier air battle command and control aircraft in the world today. Background Engineering, …
Overview The C-32A, a military version of Boeing’s 757-200, has replaced the VC-137B/C aircraft that were recently retired from the presidential airlift fleet. The new planes will carry the U.S. vice president, cabinet members, secretaries, and other dignitaries stateside and around the world. The first of four C-32As, all operated by the 89th Airlift Wing, left Boeing’s …
Overview Currently the world’s largest aircraft, the first Antonov An-225 Mriya (meaning “Dream”) prototype flew on 21 December 1988. It was designed and built by Antonov Design Bureau (headquarters in Kiev, Ukraine), known for their outstanding achievements in producing heavy transport aircraft. It is the largest aircraft to ever takeoff more than once. Capable of …
Overview The Antonov An-72 “Coaler” was designed as a Short TakeOff and Landing (STOL) aircraft which can operate from unprepared airfields. The An-72 originated as An-32, but was later fitted with jet engines. The first prototype flew on 22 December 1977, and the aircraft entered service in 1979. The wings are high-mounted with two turbofans located in …
Overview The Antonov An-70 is a new medium-size widebody Short TakeOff and Landing (STOL) transport aircraft intended to replace the aging An-12 “Cub”. The Ukraine-based program, which began in 1975, rolled out its first prototype on 20 January 1994, but a short first flight did not take place until 16 December of that year. The program received …
Overview Antonov designed the An-22 Antheus (named for the giant son of Greek god Poseidon) to carry the Soviet Army’s mightiest fighting vehicles, including main battle tanks and missile launchers. Its NK-12 turboprops, which also power the Tu-95/Tu-142 “Bear” family of Russian bombers and maritime patrol aircraft, are the most powerful turboprop engines in service. …
Overview The Antonov An-12 “Cub” is a cargo development of the AN-10 commercial transport. The first prototype flew in March of 1957. The civilian version, the An-12B, first flew in 1961 and went in production in 1962. Over 900 military and civilian versions had been built before production finally ended in 1973. The An-12BP entered …
Overview The C-27A Spartan was designed to meet Air Force requirements for a rugged, medium-size airland transport. The aircraft is particularly suited for short-to-medium range tactical operations into semi-prepared airfields as short as 1,800 feet (549m). The C-27A is an all-weather, day/night transport with capabilities to perform aeromedical evacuation missions. The Spartan has a cargo …
